2006 Commission News

12/26/2006

GOVERNOR APPOINTS NEW MEMBER TO BOATING AND WATERWAYS COMMISSION

 

Sacramento – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced the appointment of Douglas Metz, 72, of Coronado, to the Boating and Waterways Commission. 

“I am very pleased and honored by this appointment. I have long admired Governor Schwarzenegger’s dedication to the environment and his understanding of the importance of waterways and recreation to California,” Metz said. “I view my appointment as an opportunity to further my interest in boating safety, preservation of clean waterways, and public access for recreational uses of California’s unmatched water resources.”

Metz is a sailor, skippering his own 30-ft. Catalina as well as crewing on racing boats. He is also past president of the Coronado Cays Homeowner’s Association, a position in which he regularly dealt with aquatic issues including boating access and environmental protection.

Since 1998, Metz has served as president of Metz Associates, where he provides counsel to importers and exporters of wines and spirits.  From 1977 to 1998, he was managing director and general counsel of Wine and Spirit Wholesalers of America.  Previously, he was associate director and general counsel for the Council of International Economic Policy, assistant director for the President's Economic Policy Board and executive director for the Domestic Council Committee on Right of Privacy at the White House from 1974 to 1977.  Metz is Republican. 

This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem.

The Boating and Waterways Commission provides advice and consent for all small craft harbor loans and boat launching facility grants proposed by the Department of Boating and Waterways.

08/25/2006

BOATING INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MARINA OPERATORS

 

SACRAMENTO – Marina operators can now apply for a National Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) for transient boat dock improvements through the Department of Boating and Waterways. The deadline to submit applications is October 24, 2006.

Nationally, $12 million in BIG funding is available this year for projects to install or upgrade visitor tie-up facilities for recreational boats 26 feet long or more. Eligible projects include the renovation or construction of visitor docks, restrooms, gangways, and dockside utility hookups. It is a competitive program open to both publicly owned and privately owned marinas.

Applicants should first review the federal guidelines, available at www.dbw.ca.gov/big.asp, to determine if they meet the necessary requirements. Those marina operators eligible to compete in this program should follow the BIG Proposal Template available at http://www.dbw.ca.gov/PDF/BIGproposal.pdf or contact Kevin Atkinson at (916) 327-1788. Applicants must submit a grant proposal to the Department of Boating and Waterways following the federal guidelines on or before October 24, 2006.

The Department of Boating and Waterways enhances public access to the waterways and promotes on-the-water safety through programs funded by vessel registration fees, boating fuel tax dollars and boating facility construction loan payments.

08/15/2006

BOATING AND WATERWAYS COMMISSION WILL CONSIDER $9.2 MILLION IN LOANS AND GRANTS FOR BOATING FACILITIES

 

SACRAMENTO —The California’s Boating and Waterways Commission will consider $9.2 million in loans and grants to public agencies for the construction of small craft harbors and boat launching facilities. The public meeting will be held, Aug. 24, at 8:30 a.m. at Embassy Suites, 4130 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe. In addition to the projects on the consent calendar, three new grants will be considered by the Commission:

Alpine County—Caples Lake 
A $1.6 million grant to the El Dorado Irrigation District to construct a new boat launching facility at Caples Lake. Funds will be used to construct a two lane boat launching ramp, a new parking area, a restroom, walkways and a water distribution system.

Tuolumne County —Beardsley Reservoir
A $155,000 grant for phase I funding to the Tri-Dam Project to improve the existing Beardsley Point boat launching facility. The project will develop a new boat launch ramp, boarding float, restroom, parking and water distribution system at the Beardsley Reservoir boat launching facility. The total cost of the project is $1.7 million, which is planned to be funded in future years.

Stanislaus County —Heron Point
A $200,000 grant for phase I funding to Stanislaus County for improvements to the Heron Point boat launching facility on Woodward Reservoir. The project will include the construction of a two lane boat launch ramp, fish cleaning station, electrical and lighting system, kiosk and restroom. The total project cost of the project is $1.5 million, which is planned to be funded in future years.

The Commission will hear a presentation from Deputy Director Mark Rentz, Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), on DPR’s investigation into the potential adverse impacts of anti-fouling paints on aquatic and benthic organisms. In addition, a discussion of marina berthing practices will be held.

Department of Boating and Waterways loans and grants require majority consent of the seven-member Boating and Waterways Commission appointed by the governor. Funding for the projects is derived from the taxes paid by boaters on the purchase of gasoline for their vessels and from the repayment of loan and principal interest.

Editor’s Note: Please see the attached “Consent Calendar” for a list of additional loan and grant projects.

06/28/2006

$3.5 MILLION IN LOANS APPROVED FOR BOATING FACILITIES IN OXNARD AND SAN FRANCISCO

 

VENTURA -- At a meeting in Ventura Tuesday, the Boating and Waterways Commission approved $3.5 million in loans for boating infrastructure improvements and elected new officers.

The Commission elected H.P. “Sandy” Purdon, of San Diego, to the post of Chairman. Purdon was initially appointed to the Boating and Waterways Commission by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2004. He was appointed to another four-year term in April. He is the president of H.P. Purdon & Company, Inc., a management firm handling San Diego tidelands marinas, and a general partner of the Shelter Cove Marina, Ltd.

Lenora Clark, a retired United States Postal Service executive from Discovery Bay, was elected Vice Chairman. She is a member of the Ebony Boat Club where she coordinates boating activities for inner-city youth. Since 2001 she has served on the Board of Director’s for Recreational Boaters of California. Clark was appointed to the Commission by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2004.

The Commission approved the following boating facility loans:

Ventura County — Oxnard Marinas

The Commission approved a phase one private loan of $1,125,000 to Oxnard Marinas Ltd., to improve the Peninsula and Bahia Marinas in Channel Islands Harbor. This is the first of six proposed separate loans to fund improvements to marina berths, utilities, gangways, security gates, the harbormaster building restroom and to construct a small dinghy dock.  

San Francisco — Pier 38

The Commission approved a private loan of $2,375,000 to construct a fuel dock and additional floating docks for transient boaters at the Pier 38 Maritime Recreation Center in San Francisco. This loan is paired with a $1,500,000 grant the Pier 38 Recreation Center has been awarded from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant program.

Also during the meeting, the Commission approved an extension for existing loan agreements with the City of Martinez for the Martinez Marina.

The one-day meeting included a field trip to view the proposed boating facility project at Oxnard Marinas, a presentation on environmental issues such as the “Clean Marinas California” program, and an update on state and federal programs related to copper-based anti fouling paint and invasive species.

Department loans and grants require the consent of the seven-member Boating and Waterways Commission, appointed by the governor. Funding for the projects is derived from the taxes paid by boaters on the purchase of gasoline for their vessels and from the repayment of loan principal and interest.

06/16/2006

BOATING AND WATERWAYS COMMISSION WILL CONSIDER $3.5 MILLION FOR BOATING FACILITIES ON JUNE 27

 

VENTURA—The California Boating and Waterways Commission will meet June 27 to elect officers, discuss copper anti-fouling paint, and consider funding $3.5 million in new loans. The meeting is open to the public and will convene at 10:30 a.m. at the Marriott, 2055 Harbor Boulevard, Ventura. The projects to be considered are:

Ventura County— Oxnard Marinas
The Commission will consider a first loan of $1,125,000 to improve the Peninsula and Bahia Marinas. Loan funds will be used to make improvements to marina berths, utilities, gangways, security gates, the harbormaster building restroom and construction of a small dinghy dock.

San Francisco—Pier 38
The Commission will consider a private loan of $2,375,000 to construct a fuel dock and additional floating docks for transient boaters at the Pier 38 Maritime Recreation Center in San Francisco. This loan is paired with a $1,500,000 grant the Pier 38 Recreation Center has been awarded from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant program.

Contra Costa County—Martinez 
The Commission will consider a public loan time extension on existing loan agreements between the Department of Boating and Waterways and Martinez Marina.

Department of Boating and Waterways loans and grants require the consent of the seven-member Boating and Waterways Commission appointed by the governor. Funding for the projects is derived from the taxes paid by boaters on the purchase of gasoline for their vessels and from the repayment of loan and principal interest.

 

04/04/2006

GOVERNOR APPOINTS THREE TO BOATING AND WATERWAYS COMMISSION

 

SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has appointed three Boating and Waterways Commission members with backgrounds ranging from boating safety and law enforcement to marina recreation. Commissioners on the seven-member board serve four year terms. Each position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem.

Robert Nagata, 60, of Los Angeles has been a member of the commission since 1999 and has been appointed for an additional term.

Nagata has been involved in boating since 1977 and is an avid fisherman. In 1987 he earned a United States Coast Guard license to operate uninspected small passenger vessels and has continuously maintained that license to the present.

Nagata is an attorney currently serving Of Counsel to the law firm Lamb & Kawakami, LLP. He started his career as a tax accountant for Price Waterhouse and Company. He has practiced tax and corporate law since 1973 and was certified as a taxation specialist by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization in 1977.

Nagata was previously a partner with the international law firm of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue as well as with the Los Angeles law firm of Musick, Peeler & Garrett. He is a graduate of University of Southern California, University of San Diego School of Law and Golden Gate University’s Master of Taxation program.  

H.P. "Sandy" Purdon, 63, of San Diego, was initially appointed to the Boating and Waterways Commission by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2004 to fulfill the remainder of a term and is now entering his first full term.

He has been president of H.P. Purdon & Company, a management firm handling San Diego tidelands marinas, since 1977. He is a member and past president of the California Marina Recreation Association, a member and past chairman of the San Diego Port Tenants Association, and past president and chairman of the San Diego International Sports Council.

Purdon founded the nationally recognized Clean Marina Program San Diego, the YachtFest Mega Yacht Boat Show in San Diego and the annual Big Bay July 4th Fireworks Show that benefits the Armed Services YMCA.

Purdon has a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University and a Graduate Certificate from the University of California, San Diego in Urban Planning and Development.  He is a former US Marine Corps officer and Vietnam Veteran.

Warren Rupf, 62, of Martinez, was a member of the Boating and Waterways Commission from 1997 to 2004 and has been appointed to an additional four-year term.

Rupf has served as the sheriff-coroner of Contra Costa County since 1992. He first joined the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department in 1965 as a deputy sheriff. Rupf served in the United States Marine Corps from 1961 to 1965. He is a graduate of the National Executive Institute and the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.

Rupf is active in many law enforcement and community service organizations including the National Sheriff Association's Marine and Water Safety Committee, the Governor's Task Force to Review Juvenile Crime and Juvenile Justice Response, and the California State Sheriff's Association. He has also served as the Vice Chair of Marine/Water Safety Committee for the National Sheriffs’ Association.